For most folks in America, the worldwide Pandemic has radically changed not only lifestyles but for some, it’s the first time being truly exposed to a crisis that involves survival. The daily routine that we have become accustomed to has been radically turned upside down. The simple act of a walk on the lakefront, or meeting friends for a nice dinner or any other get together, has become a behavior that is not acceptable;  indeed in Chicago, it could lead to a fine or even a physical arrest. Our generation is being challenged, historians will record how we are reacting, other countries who look toward our great nation for inspiration and leadership are also watching.

Imagine a few weeks ago somebody suggesting that you will be ordered to stay at home and limit exposure to other humans to practice “social distancing” of at least 6 feet.  No hugging, no shaking hands, and gloves, and masks becoming acceptable attire.  I admit I never heard the words SOCIAL DISTANCING until last week, now it seems it will be in the lexicon for the rest of our lives.

I admit the shaking of hands and the acceptance of face masks was nothing new to me having spent over 3 years in the Far East. The handshake replaced by a simple bow, and the masks being a mundane part of life to prevent the spread of germs (how smart were they)? Being that far away from home naturally, our thoughts were of survival first, but things like the 4th of July, our loved ones, our mates and our cities, towns, and neighborhoods were constantly in our thoughts.  You’ve probably heard that song lyrics (THE GREEN-GREEN GRASS OF HOME).  All those things that can sway one’s thoughts during the hardship of a time of crisis. The difference being we can just look out our windows and sleep in the comfort of our beds and be among our closest loved ones. A rainbow in a storm. Comfort in the presence of a killer, very rare indeed.

There really isn’t much of difference being in a jungle or on a battlefield or smack dab in the middle of a killer virus pandemic — people are creatures of self-interest unless meticulously trained by the military. The need to survive is as biological as thirst. Nobody in America saw this pandemic coming so there is no type of training to revert to. So in this time of crisis, we have to ask ourselves Who are you? Who are we?

Most people are creatures of self-interest. Are we willing to look around us for others who may need our help or assistance? Or do we immediately resort to self-interest and charge over everyone in sight and gather up as much toilet paper and other essentials as possible without a flicker of thought about anybody else’s needs? Principles are astonishing flexible during a time of crisis. One thing is clear, to lose one’s head in a time of crisis is one sure way to become the CRISIS.

We are being asked to stay at home by our leadership, to follow some common-sense guidelines, to keep us and those around us safe from suffering the ravages of a potential killer virus. In other words, we are facing a test, it could be the only one our generation will face together.  Will we accept the challenge, will we refrain from looking to blame, will we set aside tribal politics and realize we are all in this TOGETHER?

“When faced with a radical crisis, when the OLD way of being in the world, and being asked or told not to interact with each other and our realm of nature doesn’t work anymore when survival is threatened by seeming insurmountable problems and individual life-form or species will either die or become extinct or rise above the limitations of its conditions.” (Eckart Tolle) Metaphysis. Tough times will not define us they can and will refine us.  I believe we have the right stuff. Remember those historians. Stand together. We all count or nobody counts.